The end of traditional incandescent and halogen light bulbs is here in United States. 

The Department of Energy has recently set new standards for light bulb manufacturers. As part of a nationwide push towards energy efficiency, federally mandated requirements state that lights must now produce more light energy than they use, or at least 45 lumens per watt.

The Department of Energy's new ruling in May 2022 did two things:

1. Added new definitions of General Service Incandescent Lamps (GSILs) and General Service Lamps (GSLs)
2. Added a 45 lumen per watt backstop for GSILs and GSLs (all CFL and LED products meet that requirement and will continue to be sold)

Outside of the exemptions, most incandescent and halogen bulbs will not be able to meet new requirements and cannot be sold. The new energy policies also allow states to set their own additional specifications, meaning product availability may vary state to state.

All sales of GSLs should be stopped by August 1, 2023 at the latest. 

If you need incandescent or halogen bulbs (outside of those included in the exclusions), you have two options: stock up now or find a compliant replacement product.

What is a GSL (general service lamp)?

According to the new definition by the Department of Energy, a General Service Lamp:

• Has an ANSI base (with the exclusion of light fixtures, LED downlight retrofit kits, and exemptions for specific base types);
• Has an initial lumen output of greater than or equal to 310 lumens (or 232 lumens for modified spectrum GSIL) and less than or equal to 3,300 lumens;
• Is able to operate at a voltage of 12 V or 24 V, at or between 100 and 130 V, at or between 220 to 240 V, or of 277 V for integrated lamps, or is able to operate at any voltage for non-integrated lamps;
• Is not a light fixture
• Is not an LED downlight retrofit kit
• Is used in general lighting applications

All sales of GSLs should be stopped by August 1, 2023 at the latest. 

Don't worry, you can still use incandescent light bulbs - the ban solely applies to the manufacturing and selling of them. So, if you’re not ready to make the switch to LED, you can – for a limited time – still 

Buy Incandescent light bulbs here.
Buy Halogen Light bulbs here.